Our special relationship with France

President Macron's speech to the Congress today was well received.  The pundits rang out about our special relationship with France.  Perhaps that could have explained its basis, even if only to inform the Trumpster.

Working backward in time -
It was on French shores that our valiant men-in-arms landed on D-Day.  From there they advanced to free France from Nazi oppression, and liberate Paris - the City of Light.  France then became our partner in the rebuilding of Europe and holding off Stalin's forces from more conquest.

France developed and still possesses nuclear weapons, an independent force de frappe, that was part of the nuclear shield in the Cold War.

In April 1917, the US joined France in the fight against Germany and the Central Powers.  When the Russian Revolution took Russia out of the war, Germany transferred hundreds of thousands of soldiers to the West and prepared for a final, crushing assault on France.  Americans joined the Brits and French in defeating the Germans.

The American revolution would likely have come to a different end if not for France's aid, thanks in great part to Lafayette.  Soldiers, weapons, ships, money - all flowed to the rebels to defeat Great Britain in our animating contest for freedom and independence.  It is for this reason that US Gen Pershing, upon landing in France with US soldiers in 1918, proclaimed "Lafayette, we are here!"

There is much more than this, and Pres. Macron expressed our common goals and principles well.

Scottish independence in the air again?

There’s a big difference between Great Britain and a Great Scot.  Perhaps if the former name had not been abandoned for the mundane United Kingdom, the unruly mob that intermarried with the Picts and counts bagpipes as musical instruments might pause to reflect.  That glorious Scottish Enlightenment was something to behold, of course.

There is much to be lost by breaking up a united kingdom, economically  and in government structure.  But the weight of loss will be borne by the hardy breed descended from cattle rustlers to a far greater extent than the kingdom to its south.  Scotland alone will be not unlike those other stout fellows across the North Sea, in population and, thanks to oil, in economic circumstance.  But it’s one thing being a Dane or Norwegian speaking a Germanic tongue, attached to Europe by land and history.  It’s quite another to turn ones back on a glorious heritage that includes Romans, Celtic language, splendid isolation all in a sceptered island that has remained unconquered for a 1000 years.  And if the Scots go their own way, the remaining UK will still be a major player in world affairs, if that is your preference.

For those of us who read history, we wonder at the march from Bannockburn to this vote.  Independence through arms, then 3 centuries pass and a Scottish family reigns at Westminster, then those Stuarts are flogged off the island.  Then union with England under a German family.  Maybe when England finally gets an English family astride the throne the Scots will be back to intrigue a coup via marriage or by holding Balmoral hostage.